THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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DROUGHT AND DROP IN WATER LEVEL PUTS PRESSURE ON PRODUCERS…
Drought and low water level in rivers threaten paddy agriculture in Türkiye’s northwestern province of Edirne, which is the leader in paddy production in the country. In 2023, the region, which produced 391 thousand 101 tonnes of paddy on an area of 486 thousand decares, met 38.4 percent of the country’s production alone. However, this success is under threat due to the effects of climate change and dry seasons.
SERIOUS WATER SHORTAGE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS…
Especially in the last two years, farmers have not been able to deliver sufficient water to their paddy fields due to lack of water. Last year, in order to overcome this problem, alternate irrigation was made from the Meriç and Tunca rivers and yield loss was kept to a minimum by drilling additional water wells. However, new measures are being taken to avoid similar risks this year. The areas to be planted will be determined by the Provincial Drought Crisis Centre and Provincial and District Paddy Commissions.
WATER SHORTAGE LEADS TO SUNFLOWER…
Due to the dry winter and low water levels, some producers gave up paddy, ploughed their fields and switched to sunflower cultivation. This change signals that there may be a serious decline in paddy production.
WE SWITCHED TO ALTERNATING IRRIGATING SYSTEM…
Hüseyin Arabacı, Head of the Edirne Chamber of Agriculture, stated that drought and extreme heat seriously affected paddy production. Highlighting that they switched to a rotational irrigation system and took measures to deliver ‘life water’ to the producers, especially in the lower parts of the rivers, Arabacı said, “We are making intensive efforts to support and direct the producers correctly.”
